Defense

US pounds ISIS camps in Syria after Assad flees

“There should be no doubt — we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute,” a top general said.

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off from RAF Fairford, England prior to taking off for Exercise Apex Patriot, on Dec. 5. | U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers

By Jack Detsch, Paul McLeary and Joe Gould

12/08/2024 01:39 PM EST

Updated: 12/08/2024 03:29 PM EST

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The U.S. carried out a major round of airstrikes on Islamic State targets on Sunday, and warned the terror group against trying to regain strength in the country after rebels took over the government.

The operation included “dozens” of airstrikes on over 75 targets involving ISIS operatives and camps using B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 close-air support attack aircraft “to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria,” according to a statement from U.S. Central Command.

“There should be no doubt — we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” said Central Command chief Gen. Erik Kurilla, “All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.”

News of the strikes come after the stunning collapse of the Assad regime in Syria that has upended the security situation in the Middle East, and raises fresh questions about the role of the 900 U.S. troops stationed in the country.

On Saturday, President-elect Trump, who twice sought to end the U.S. troop presence in Syria during his first term, called the country “a mess” and said the U.S. should not get involved in the conflict.

One top lawmaker who was among........

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